BONES Season 9 Finale Post-Mortem: Stephen Nathan Teases What Comes Next and Why They ‘Have to Right This Wrong’

[Warning: This post contains spoilers for the BONES season 9 finale. Please do not read this post until you’ve seen “The Recluse in the Recliner.”]

BONES has been known to end its season with a figurative bang — heck, last season had Booth turning down Brennan’s marriage proposal, and the year before, Brennan took Christine and went on the run to avoid being falsely convicted by Pelant — but with “The Recluse in the Recliner,” the show had arguably one of its biggest season finales to date: Booth took on a team of masked men who invaded his home (as a warning for the entire team to back off of investigating the mole in the FBI), but while he escaped with his life, the home he shared with Brennan was destroyed…and Booth essentially lost his job and was placed under arrest while recovering from his gunshot wounds.

“It was our biggest show we’ve ever done,” BONES boss Stephen Nathan shared. “I know last year, we had 400 cars and shut down downtown, but that was a piece of cake next to this [finale].”

So what the heck is going to happen now that Booth is on the other side of the law? Nathan had some really great teases about what’s in store for season 10…

What can you say about what comes next?! Stephen Nathan: Well, I think they’re going to call a real estate agent!

That poor house did get totally demolished. SN: I know. It was quite a remarkable thing to do at the end, I have to say. Everyone did an amazing job. I was just thrilled with the way it all came out.

What comes next is — I think what we like to do is pick the situation up in somewhat real time. We’ll be off for three months, so we’ll be picking this up about three months later and trying to unravel this situation that they find themselves in.

We’ve never quite been in a situation that has affected these characters this much by external forces. Here is Booth, a man of honor and a real patriot, who has risked his life for his country, as someone in the military and as a Ranger, and also in the FBI, feeling now completely betrayed by the institution he devoted his life to. We have to right this wrong.

And while it looks extremely bleak for Booth, and Booth and Brennan at the end of the season, there was a big victory in this finale, and a victory that won’t be immediately recognizable, but if you think about it, the person who is orchestrating all of this, the person behind this conspiracy is used to doing their work unimpeded. And Booth did not let that happen. This person, he or she, is smart enough to know that they are now in a vulnerable situation. Booth did not die. Booth did, in one sense, triumph in the finale. And that person knows their vulnerability mandates that they keep a lower profile for a while, which gives our people a chance to find out what’s going on.

So in those three months, we will pick up, Booth will still be in jail — he’ll be waiting trial for the murder of those FBI agents, but Brennan and the other people at the lab will have had these three months to comb through all of the information that they found and put together a scenario that makes sense. A plan, a plot, that makes logical sense. And they will find this goes back far into the past. And it will be a situation that is really a dream come true for Hodgins: all of his conspiracies have not been fantasy; that many of them are in fact true. They may have been based in ephemeral data, but it’s now becoming concrete. And they realize there’s now more to those conspiracy theories than we initially thought.

So we will be coming back with a person who has for the first time realized their vulnerability. Which gives Booth and Brennan a chance to get to the bottom of what’s happening.

They do have their work cut out for them. And also, I have to say, this is not going to be easy for either of them. Both of them have been working, in a very altruistic way, for organizations and institutions they believed in. As I said, Booth is a patriot. They believed in something. And the only way that he can continue — and the Brennan can continue — is to make sense of this, and to get those institutions back on track, as much as they possibly can.

The reality is, they’re also realistic. Just because they solve one murder, it doesn’t mean that all murders have stopped. So just because they solve one part of this case, that doesn’t mean that government corruption or conspiracies inside a government vanish in a day. While we need to resolve one major aspect of the situation, that does not mean the whole situation is necessarily resolved. This might very well be something we revisit in some form throughout season 10. And something that allows them to reevaluate their lives, as you tend to do: they’ve been working at this job together for 10 years. At a certain point you start to reevaluate what you’re doing, you start to reevaluate what your priorities are and how you’re going to live your life. And those will all be issues that will be very, very prominent in season 10. Not only for Booth and Brennan, but for everybody else, too. We have a very tight, secure family on this show. They’re very comfortable. They might not be as comfortable next year.

Just to clarify, is Brennan in any legal trouble? SN: She was being taken out [at the end] for questioning. As they said, Booth is the warning in this. This is a guy — or woman — who has operated for we don’t actually know how long. Well, we know how long, but you don’t know how long. [Laughs] [They’ve] done it in a way that is self-protective, and a way that has allowed this person to carry out the tasks that they feel he or she felt were necessary to perform while keeping him or her insulated from discovery.

Can you confirm whether or not we’ve seen this mastermind onscreen at any point in the show’s nine seasons? SN: I can’t confirm that. I really think at the end of season 9, the people who have been with us for this many years, or the new people joining us, should feel as insecure and uncertain as Booth and Brennan do. I think everyone should be cautious. Everyone should be worthy of suspicion.

How will Angela’s data recovery play out next season? SN: It will be very, very, very important. Because at the end of season 9, while she did find that they got most of the information off that chip, it was still encrypted, and it was ripped off her server so quickly to avoid detection, that rebuilding it is going to be a task. But we will be coming in to season 10 with Angela and our people having three months to rebuild it, and build some sort of Venn Diagram scenario of what this conspiracy is, how deep it goes, and where it might lead. But what they are going to find is its tentacles are spread a bit more widely than they initially thought.

Since you guys have already started mapping out next season, what can you tease about what’s in store aside from this giant conspiracy? SN: Well, as I said, I think it’s going to be a year of reevaluation for everybody. Booth and Brennan aren’t splitting up, there’s not going to be an affair, this is a great couple. This is a couple who is solid, this is a couple we all want to be. But, that doesn’t mean the challenges they face won’t be stressful, and won’t cause them to reevaluate how they want to live their lives together. And I think that will be felt by the other characters as well. I think it’s not going to be a simple matter of life goes on. It will go on, seemingly, as it has in the past, because BONES is BONES; it’s not going to be a completely different show. I don’t think the audience would like that, and I don’t think we would like that. We know what our job is, what our task is here: it’s righting wrongs, and finding killers, and we don’t want to go on and change that. But they will still be dealing with the trauma of the end of season 9. They will be dealing with issues of trust, issues of belief in a system they devoted their lives to. In an odd way, for Booth, patriotism is almost PTSD in a different form. In a non-warlike form. It will affect them. It will legislate how their lives play out and evolve.

–

Are you breathing after the BONES finale?! Are you excited about what’s to come?

Comments

30 Responses to “BONES Season 9 Finale Post-Mortem: Stephen Nathan Teases What Comes Next and Why They ‘Have to Right This Wrong’”

catherine on
May 19th, 2014 9:24 pm

Outstanding episode, very well done my only question is when things right themselves again, why the hell would Booth ever want to work again at the FBI, when they turned on him and accuse him of killing his own FBI agents? Also, after it is said and done, why would Brennan either? I can see her staying to solve the crimes, but no longer.

I can’t beleive FBI don’t think when three armed man shooting at Booth instead of just knocking on the door would be consider murder……I doubt they are FBI agent probably more delta force guys

Nancy on
May 19th, 2014 10:26 pm

Absolutely loved it, DB and ED did such an awesome job. I was hoping for a special moment between the 2 of them in the hospital room though. I don’t know why they couldn’t let her see him at all.

Hopefully, we’ll get a reunion moment between them once Booth gets out of jail!

Athena on
May 19th, 2014 10:26 pm

The finale was one of the best Bones episodes. It was thrilling, and I am even more thrilled that they did not decide to kill off Booth. Can’t wait for next year — season 10 may not be the last season. Heck, Bones is as fresh as ever!!!

It was an exciting episode in every way. David’s direction was superb. Emily & David were awesome as always. I love it when all the squints work on a case together. Wow, Fisher is no longer gloom and doom. I’m looking forward to an exceptional season 10. It’s going to be a long summer.

I forgot to give credit to Stephen Nathan and Johnathan Collier for the wonderfull script. The script had all the best parts of Bones. Stephen Nathan has been with Bones from the very beginning, Johnathan Collier has been around for a very long time, they both know the show well. Great script, with great directing, made the end of the season spectacular

We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in
our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on.
You have done a formidable process and our entire community will be thankful to you.

Bob Neupert on
May 21st, 2014 4:23 pm

Gee! I think that you need at least 5 more years to get this all figured out. And, I will happily watch every episode to see how it works out.

Susie Q on
May 21st, 2014 4:33 pm

This episode was masterfully written and directed… And I need to mention the wonderful soundtrack that helped build the tension from the very beginning, underscoring (pun intended) the fact that this was NOT business as usual in the BONES ‘verse. Very tense, intense and a whole heck of a lot of information presented in a mere 40 minutes. WONDERFUL!

greatvonnie50 on
May 21st, 2014 4:37 pm

I love when some of the senior writers put their pens to paper, such as Stephen Nathan and Jonathon Collier, they gave us a lot to think about and anticipate. At the end of Season 8 I had a lot of anger toward Booth, I think anyone who has been dumped can relate to what Bones was feeling. At least with Season 9 B&B are not divided they (we; Boneheads) can deal with any thing as long as we are together. I think the destruction of the mighty hut was symbolic that Booth is Brennan’s home as long as they have each other they are home. I love when the story line has twists and turns and this one sure did. To describe the finale in one word I would say “Breathless”!

McRaider on
May 21st, 2014 4:57 pm

I absolutely loved this ending! It was everything I could dreamt of, the corruptiuon is right up my alley of interests in TV. I cannot wait for next season. I think this is the most enticed I’ve been in a long time!!! Great job Bones team!!!

Tanya on
May 21st, 2014 5:00 pm

First I would like to say my kids and I love this show…. And everyone on it…. Ok… I have not missed one show…. I wish the season was not over :(….. I could watch this everyday… Well I take that back I do watch it everyday… If there is not a new one on than I watch reruns…. I guess I will start from season 1 and watch all of them over again until season 10…. Can’t wait…. How many more seasons will there be??? Hoping for a lot more….

Tom Bloom on
May 21st, 2014 5:03 pm

I only wish that you could bring Zack back into the picture….I would like to see him return and help resolve this issue before us…..Bones has some of the best endings of their series each year…….but bring Zack…….

Crickett Mullins on
May 21st, 2014 5:08 pm

Bones is my #1 FAVORITE show! All I know is, I CAN’T WAIT, until the next season begins….life just won’t be the same without my weekly Bones fix!

Marielle on
May 21st, 2014 5:12 pm

Incredible episode. It truly showed the strength of Booth and Bones as a couple, always supporting and trusting each other. I loved when Bones came back for Booth and that they always have the other persons best interest at heart. It’s been incredible to see their growth over that last 9 years. I also love their extended family and although I understand that this is an earth shattering event for them, I hope the dynamic between B&B, Cam, Angela, Hodgins, Sweets and the Squinterns continues to grow but doesn’t change too much. I can see this last episode shaking Booth to his core and Bones doing whatever necessary to make sure that he’s safe and happy. Booth deserved that high ranking position and I hope he gets his recognition when it’s all said and done. I loved all of the action in this episode, David did a great job. I hope the show is on and putting a smile on our faces for a long time to come.

Lil on
May 21st, 2014 5:21 pm

OK, we now have to have Zach help our from whatever psych hospital he might be. We also need (I NEED!) seasons 11 – 20 to figure it out out. And then.. make sure the DVDs have more behind the scenes! I love watching the re-runs on TV because every time I see an episode, I’ll see something i might have missed the first time around. And boy, was the Season 9 ending explosive! I think David did a marvelous job as a director and he should definitely helm more episodes. I would also love to see Emily directing an episode or three! Whew… now onto waiting 🙂

Becky on
May 21st, 2014 5:21 pm

I do love this show. With the season finale this past Monday, I have begun watching reruns on TNT. I just wonder how far back this twist goes. I’ve seen things crop up throughout the older seasons that could easily be linked. A suspect in “A Tough Man in the Tender Chicken” is named Ms. Macknamara. The soldier that recruits Booth to go back overseas in “The Beginning in the End”, his name on his uniform is Pelant. I am certain that all of these “coincidences” are notable and not to mention the whole crazy clock thing that we probably won’t have explained until the AWFUL Series finale! Anticipating September and the new season!

Amanda on
May 21st, 2014 5:36 pm

After watching the season finale I just about cried with what happened. I think it sucks that we have to wait for so long. But I know that it will be worth it in the end. But what happened with Chrisine? I do hope that she is ok. I can’t wait till the next season starts but doesnt mean I am happy about what was done with the end of this one. UGGGGG

kayla on
May 21st, 2014 5:47 pm

I’m just glad that there wasn’t a major character death or a couple splitting up. Booth being on the other side of the law is new, it will be great to see how that’ll pan out. I’m suspecting that Max will help Booth and Bones get out of this mess. The main thing is Booth didn’t die from the gunshots.

Amy on
May 21st, 2014 6:06 pm

I love this show! My daughter and I have been watching if since day one. I wish you guys would bring Zack back. Sweets needs a girl, someone that can play a roll in the lab or in the field. She needs to be a main character and not someone that just pops in every now and then! Loved the last show. Booth did one hell of a job knockin those mugs out. Hope to see Bones in the hospital next season by his bedside with the crew praying tearing eyed!!

Kevin on
May 21st, 2014 7:14 pm

As some have said, it would be difficult at best for Booth and Brennan to return to doing work for the FBI after this. Maybe Season 10 is the spring board into the Bones literary universe with the season and series ending with Booth and Brennan moving to Montreal to start a new life together.

Carolyn Gordon on
May 21st, 2014 7:27 pm

The MOST intense episode yet!!!! Even more than the Grave Digger; Pelant, Gormagon and that little weasel of a serial killer who was after Brennan!!!! But, oh, I’m not happy!!!!! Adrenalin is flowing; my heart is racing, and now I’ve got to wait all summer for any kind of resolution!!!! Thanks to EVERYONE who makes BONES the greatest TV Show Ever!!!! Thanks for keeping it interesting, entertaining, fresh, full of humor and real!!! Okay, now I’ve got to catch my breath! See you in the Fall. 🙂

Ruth Ann Walker on
May 21st, 2014 7:59 pm

Love,Love,Love this show, I watch nothing but Bones, whether a new episode or re-runs. The writers did an wonderful Job on the finale.
Wow,Wow,Wow, Emily & David did an outstanding job, I’m just so blown away with this finale, have watched it twice and will probably will watch several more times, and then go back to re-runs on TNT & Netflix, till season 10 starts.
Please keep up fantastic work, hope like others this show will continue for 5 or more seasons. Emily is my favorite and she always does an awesome job every week, I like the others also, they, like Emily said seem like a very loving family and all work together solving murders, have serious moments, laughter, and some romance, would like to see more romance with B&B.
Again, outstanding writing, directing, and acting. Thank you for all of your hard work to bring us an excellent show each week. Would love with my heart to meet the Cast, of course including Emily, that would be an awesome dream come true

michael on
May 21st, 2014 10:22 pm

Maybe Booths friend from the CIA can help booth out and if does go back to the FBI he could be part of the team the finds all involved.

Cynthia on
May 22nd, 2014 2:03 am

This was amazing, holding my breath! However, my favorite of all was ‘The End in the Beginning’ I loved the chemistry between the two, better than anything since. Just saying.

Robin on
May 22nd, 2014 12:21 pm

Wow, sounds like we have a lot to anticipate in Season 10, which I HOPE will not be the final season! I love this show; it is still my favorite show after all these years! And I hope it will continue at least several more seasons–I don’t know what I would do without my Bones “fixes.” This season finale episode was the best ever and definitely the best Bones season finale ever! Somehow they just keep upping the ante, and marrying them certainly did NOT diminish the chemistry or the excitement of this show. I am only sad that they demolished their wonderful home in this episode….They will be hard-pressed to find another one that is so warm and welcoming! Well, have to get back to my Netflix, and DVDs for a rehash of favorite episodes. I definitely want to check out some of the clues from the past this Summer while we wait for epic Season 10. Hart and Nathan continue to mastermind this show in great ways. Love it now more than ever!